Published: Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 5:19 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 8:39 p.m.

Edmonds, 32, of Daytona Beach, was arrested Thursday and charged with first-degree murder in the May 5 death of 27-year-old Christopher Tyvan Farmer.

Detectives say Edmonds struck and ran over Farmer intentionally while behind the wheel of a convertible in the early morning hours of May 5. Detectives also believe Edmonds stalked Farmer and a friend in the area of Seabreeze Boulevard and Oleander Avenue after a fight, intending to kill one or both of them.

“This wasn't a spontaneous thing,” Chitwood said. “He drove around and looked for the victim and his buddy. He made sure that somebody was going to get run over.”

Detectives believe 27-year-old Bruce of Port Orange threw most of the punches and may have been the primary target.

Bruce, who told police he was a friend and co-worker of Farmer's, was a source of contention for Chitwood.

“In my opinion, he was a horrible friend,” Chitwood said. “When our victim needed him most, he went south on us.”

Chitwood said Edmonds' girlfriend also was a point of contention and made progressing in the case difficult.

“She has done everything she could to stonewall the investigation,” he said of Edmonds' girlfriend, Christina Juanita Arnold. “They have done everything they could to try and get away with this.”

Chitwood said he believes Arnold is an employee at Bethune-Cookman University.

He said he has a hard time understanding why Arnold, who has two children with Edmonds, would be with someone who has an extensive criminal history. He said Edmonds was currently on probation for supplying cocaine to dancers at the Shark Lounge, located near International Speedway Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue.

The police department's frustration with Arnold started when they say she refused to cooperate after officers pulled her over near the LPGA Boulevard exit on Interstate 95 after spotting her driving a vehicle that matched the description of the one used in Farmer's death.

After police seized the red 1996 Toyota Celica convertible on May 8, detectives discovered it had been given a “bleach bath” in an effort to destroy evidence, most of which would have been located in the car's undercarriage.

Later that same day, records show police executed a search warrant on Arnold's home in the 1300 block of Verona Street. Officers found evidence of cleaning solutions, bleached rags and paper products they believed had been used to “destroy any and all evidence inside and around the red Toyota.” The smell of bleach also emanated from Arnold's home when officers opened the door.

Chitwood said he hopes the State Attorney's Office will file charges against Arnold for her role in the case.

<p>Michael Edmonds didn't say a word — and Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood isn't surprised. </p><p>Edmonds, 32, of Daytona Beach, was arrested Thursday and charged with first-degree murder in the May 5 death of 27-year-old Christopher Tyvan Farmer. </p><p>Detectives say Edmonds struck and ran over Farmer intentionally while behind the wheel of a convertible in the early morning hours of May 5. Detectives also believe Edmonds stalked Farmer and a friend in the area of Seabreeze Boulevard and Oleander Avenue after a fight, intending to kill one or both of them.</p><p>Chitwood believes losing the fight motivated Edmonds to search for and stalk Farmer and Gary Bruce, Farmer's friend. </p><p>“This wasn't a spontaneous thing,” Chitwood said. “He drove around and looked for the victim and his buddy. He made sure that somebody was going to get run over.” </p><p>Detectives believe 27-year-old Bruce of Port Orange threw most of the punches and may have been the primary target. </p><p>Bruce, who told police he was a friend and co-worker of Farmer's, was a source of contention for Chitwood. </p><p>“In my opinion, he was a horrible friend,” Chitwood said. “When our victim needed him most, he went south on us.” </p><p>Chitwood said Edmonds' girlfriend also was a point of contention and made progressing in the case difficult. </p><p>“She has done everything she could to stonewall the investigation,” he said of Edmonds' girlfriend, Christina Juanita Arnold. “They have done everything they could to try and get away with this.” </p><p>Chitwood said he believes Arnold is an employee at Bethune-Cookman University. </p><p>He said he has a hard time understanding why Arnold, who has two children with Edmonds, would be with someone who has an extensive criminal history. He said Edmonds was currently on probation for supplying cocaine to dancers at the Shark Lounge, located near International Speedway Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue.</p><p>“She's an educated woman. She's got a master's degree,” Chitwood said. “This isn't a stupid woman at all.” </p><p>The police department's frustration with Arnold started when they say she refused to cooperate after officers pulled her over near the LPGA Boulevard exit on Interstate 95 after spotting her driving a vehicle that matched the description of the one used in Farmer's death. </p><p>After police seized the red 1996 Toyota Celica convertible on May 8, detectives discovered it had been given a “bleach bath” in an effort to destroy evidence, most of which would have been located in the car's undercarriage. </p><p>Later that same day, records show police executed a search warrant on Arnold's home in the 1300 block of Verona Street. Officers found evidence of cleaning solutions, bleached rags and paper products they believed had been used to “destroy any and all evidence inside and around the red Toyota.” The smell of bleach also emanated from Arnold's home when officers opened the door.</p><p>Chitwood said he hopes the State Attorney's Office will file charges against Arnold for her role in the case.</p>